Oceania & Pacific Islands

Fusing ancient and modernist influences, and situated on a site sacred to the Gadigal people for thousands of years, the sculptural elegance of the Sydney Opera House has made it one of the symbols of twentieth century architecture - a building that, to quote US architect Frank Gehry, “changed the image of an entire country.”https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/our-story.html

For amazing entertainment, delicious waterside dining and incredible wildlife, Darling Harbour is the perfect destination in the heart of Sydney. Meet penguins and dugongs at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and get up close to koalas and a giant saltwater crocodile at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo. You’ll find plenty more exciting things to do and see, from Sydney Harbour cruises and tall ships at the Australian National Maritime Museum to the Chinese Garden of Friendship, a tranquil haven. You can even walk the red carpet with your favourite star at Madame Tussauds, a wax museum. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/darling-harbour

Established in 1827, the Australian Museum (AM) is Australia’s first museum and has been at the forefront of scientific research, collection and education for more than 185 years. Through exhibitions and other public programs the AM continues to inform and amaze generations of visitors about the unique flora, fauna and cultures of Australia and the Pacific. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/city-centre/attractions/australian-museum

With many things to do and see, a great way to see The Rocks is on foot. There are markets, museums, galleries and delicious food and wine experiences. Take a self-guided tour or join The Rocks Walking Tours. The I’m Free Tour starts at 6pm from outside Cadmans Cottage, built in 1816. Dave’s Pub Walks will take you to the colonial pubs in the area. The Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage Tour provides insights into indigenous culture. In a restored colonial sandstone warehouse is The Rocks Discovery Museum. You can also hire bicycles and pedal around the harbour foreshore. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/the-rocks

Melbourne's lower Yarra River is the city's tourism and recreation heart. It hums with activity, on land and water. River boats link the vibrancy of Federation Square, Southgate and Crown. Outstanding dining and shopping opportunities blend with museums, leading galleries, an aquarium, concert halls and theatres to create one of the most diverse visitor precincts in the country. http://yarrariver.melbourne/

Her Majesty's Theatre is one of Australia's most historic theatres. Opened in 1875 Her Maj is the oldest purpose-built theatre building in Australia to have been continuously used as a live theatre venue. The building boasts a beautifully renovated double-balconied auditorium recently re-seated to offer both comfort and elegance while boasting state of the art theatre equipment. The Theatre offers an annual season of touring professional theatre productions, representing a selection of performances from some of Australia's leading theatre companies. Since 1965, Australia's largest and longest-running eisteddfod, the Royal South Street Competitions, have called the Theatre home and occupy the building between mid-August and early November every year. Her Majesty's has been owned and operated by the City of Ballarat since 1990. Today around 300 performances are presented each year. https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/goldfields/things-to-do/art-theatre-and-culture/performing-arts/her-majestys-theatre-ballarat

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia. Situated over two magnificent buildings – NGV International and NGV Australia – the Gallery hosts a wide range of international and local artists, exhibitions, programs and events; from contemporary art to major international historic exhibitions, fashion and design, architecture, sound and dance. https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/

Heather has been teaching and working in the mosaic art field since 2003. Having created her business ‘Mosaics by the Bay’, Heather spends much of her time following her passion in the mosaic field from her seaside home on Phillip Island, where she also holds her workshops. https://www.visitphillipisland.com/listing/mosaics-by-the-bay/

The Queen Victoria Gardens, which are set out on 4.5 hectares opposite the Victorian Arts Centre in St Kilda Road, are Melbourne's memorial to Queen Victoria. The gardens feature trees, roses, flowering shrubs, ponds and flower beds set in manicured lawns. There is a large emphasis on floral displays. Located within the gardens are ornamental ponds and monuments to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. The Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda is a bandstand erected in memory of a 19th century philanthropist who worked for the welfare of women. The main feature of the gardens is a superb floral clock with 7000 flowering and bedding plants located in front of the King's memorial. The plants are changed twice yearly. The clock was given to the City of Melbourne in 1966 as a decorative timepiece by a group of Swiss watchmakers. The Queen Victoria Gardens are also known for their artwork, including Paul Montfords Water Nymph, which is set in the smaller pond, and two marble busts by Theodore Fink. A contemporary piece by The Genie , a sculpture designed for children to touch and play on. http://www.melbourne.com.au/qvg.htm

The Art Gallery of Ballarat, Australia's oldest regional gallery, located in the heart of Ballarat's central heritage precinct, boasts a stunning collection of Australian art. Its busy exhibition schedule makes the Gallery an exciting and dynamic place presenting a range of exhibitions from cutting edge contemporary art to themed shows drawn from the Gallery's extensive collection, and special interest ticketed shows. http://www.visitballarat.com.au/attraction/art-gallery-of-ballarat

A living part of Melbourne's modern Chinatown, the Chinese Museum is a national museum, brought into being in 1985 to document, preserve and display the history of Australians of Chinese descent who have helped shape and develop what it means to be Australian today. An exciting range of changing exhibitions, heritage tours and public seminars are some of the ways by which the Chinese Museum shares the past, culture, and values of Australia's Chinese community with the wider public. Educating existing and future generations of Australians it places importance on our identity and what is means to be Australian. A goldfield's mine re-creation, displays about early Chinese industry such as furniture making and the banana industry, imperial garments and images of the Young Chinese League's debutantes of the 1930s onward, evoke some of the richness of the Chinese contribution to Australia's history. The Museum is also home to Dai Loong and the Millennium Dragon, the largest dragon in the world, which weaves through the streets of Melbourne following a 100 year old Melbourne tradition. The Museum is a popular and important educative resource for teachers and educators alike visited by a huge number of school children 25,000 per annum to learn about multiculturalism, local and Australian history, Chinese arts and culture. http://www.melbourne.com.au/chinese-museum-melbourne.htm

The award-winning Richmond River Historical Society Museum has one of the best historical collections in regional Australia. The museum is located in the heritage-listed former Lismore Municipal Building, with the main exhibition displayed within the old Council Chamber. Panels of local rainforest timbers line the walls of the museum. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/lismore-historical-society-and-museum

Lismore Regional Gallery’s Mission is to facilitate the exchange of ideas locally and nationally through a distinctive and innovative program of exhibitions and events. Lismore Regional Gallery is the oldest cultural organisation in the Northern Rivers. Established in 1953, and opened by then Director of the Art Gallery of NSW, Hal Missingham, they have played an active role in the cultural life of their community for generations. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/lismore-regional-gallery

Come and discover the hidden underground street art culture of The Back Alley Gallery in Lismore. The Back Alley Gallery is transforming the laneways of Lismore. You cannot walk down the streets without finding something new on the walls. There are over sixty artworks including large scale murals, graffiti art, paste ups, stencils and installations. This outdoor art gallery is here for the community to enjoy and to see that street art is alive, thriving and an important part of the local art scene. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/the-back-alley-gallery

Serpentine Gallery is a local artist's initiative dedicated to showcasing the diverse artistic creations of local emerging artists. The gallery supports artists of all mediums and is dedicated to building a strong artist community in the Northern Rivers. The gallery has approximately 180 artists on their register and supports all styles of art. The gallery has been operating since 2006 and has developed a reputation for displaying emerging artists who are still raw, who are not affected and are freely expressing themselves. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/serpentine-gallery

Welcome to Auckland Museum, where exciting stories of New Zealand people, the Pacific, flora, fauna and landforms of our unique islands, are told within a memorial dedicated to those who have sacrificed their lives for our country. https://www.aucklandnz.com/visit/discover/arts-culture-heritage/art-gallery/auckland-museum-tamaki-paenga-hira

A national historic landmark and the only official state residence of royalty in the United States, from 1882 to 1893 Downtown Honolulu’s Iolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s last two monarchs: King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani. The palace was a symbol of promise for the Hawaiian Kingdom built by King David Kalakaua, “The Merrie Monarch.” Influenced by European architectural styles, this royal residence included Hawaii’s first electric light system, flush toilets and intra-house telephones. The rich interior features a beautiful koa staircase, dramatic portraits of Hawaiian royalty, ornate furniture and royal gifts and ornaments from around the world. Tour through this American Florentine-style palace’s throne room, reception and dining room and envision the magnificent state dinners and balls held here. View the private living quarters of the royal family and listen to the tragic story of Liliuokalani’s imprisonment in an upstairs bedroom following the overthrow. On the basement level view the ancient regalia of Hawaiian royalty from swords and precious jewelry to the two golden crowns of the King and Queen. On the spacious grounds of the palace, see the Iolani Coronation Pavilion, where in 1883 Kalakaua was crowned king. https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/oahu/regions/honolulu/iolani-palace

The Honolulu Museum of Art has been sharing the arts with Hawaii since 1927. With a permanent collection of over 38,000 pieces, this is Hawaii's largest general fine-arts museum. Stroll from gallery to gallery past open-air courtyards and ponds. Explore one of the finest collections of Asian art in the world as well as impressive collections of Western, European and Polynesian art. If you feel like seeing a film, visit Doris Duke Theatre, which plays an impressive slate of foreign and independent films. After browsing the galleries, take a break to have lunch in the open-air HoMA Cafē or recharge with an energizing drink at the Coffee Bar. https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/oahu/regions/honolulu/honolulu-museum-of-art-shangri-la

Honolulu’s Bishop Museum is Hawaii’s largest museum dedicated to studying and preserving the history of Hawaii and the Pacific. Originally designed to house the extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a descendant of King Kamehameha I, the museum is now the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific. One of Oahu’s most historic places, the museum holds millions of artifacts, documents and photos about Hawaii and other Polynesian cultures. Visit the newly renovated Hawaiian Hall, which immerses you in Native Hawaiian culture and history by showcasing a variety of important artifacts. In the planetarium, kids can learn how voyagers navigated the Pacific using the stars. In the Science Adventure Center, children can see Hawaii’s unique natural environment like never before through a variety of interactive exhibits. https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/oahu/regions/honolulu/bishop-museum

On Kuhio Beach, a bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku welcomes you to Waikiki with open arms. Duke was a true Hawaiian hero and one of the world's greatest watermen, a master of swimming, surfing and outrigger canoe paddling. https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/oahu/regions/honolulu/duke-kahanamoku-statue

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park prides itself on its authenticity. The Tjapukai people inhabited the tropic region that extends from Cairns to Port Douglas and inland to Kuranda. Their name means ‘People of the Rainforest'. The displays and cultural dances within the park portray the Dreamtime through to the present reality of today's Tjapukai people. https://www.cairnsattractions.com.au/explore/aboriginal-culture/aboriginal-cultural-park-tjapukai.403.html

The Solomon Islands National Museum was first opened on June 1969. It is situated in Honiara, the capital, in Guadalcanal Province. It is the only national museum in the whole country at present. Solomon Islands National Museum is a museum, cultural centre, government department or ministry and also houses ww2 relics. The major part of the collection consists of cultural materials with some examples of natural history specimens, World War II relics and archaeological material. The Museum also houses a collection of Audio-Visual material and reference books. Number of items in the collection: over 2,000 items The collection contains items of the following types: Art, Heritage, Photography, Archaeological, Natural History (Animal Specimens, wet and dry), Contemporary, Scientific or Technology, Audio/visual material, Books or Journals, Posters, Pamphlets, Documents or Paper-based items, Outdoor sculpture, art or monuments. http://solomon.spla.pro/en/file.organization.solomon-islands-national-museum.10748.html

The award winning Lakes District Museum is set in the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown and presents an authentic picture of early life in the Wakatipu District. Displays portray pre- European Maori, European settlement and the exciting goldrush era of the mid 1800's. The museum has an attached gallery showing changing art and history related exhibitions.An excellent bookshop/giftshop is also attached. https://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/things-to-do/culture-and-heritage/museums/listing/lakes-district-museum

Queensland Museum is the State’s centre for natural history, cultural heritage, science and human achievement. Home to permanent and changing exhibitions and collections, the museum also provides innovative public programs, educational experiences plus holiday and early child hood activities. The Queensland Museum is also home to the Sciencentre, where visitors can take part in exciting - and educational - kinetic and interactive displays and experiments. https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/brisbane/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/galleries/queensland-museum-and-sciencentre?sc_lang=en-au

South Bank Parklands is Queensland’s premier lifestyle and cultural destination, open 365 days a year. Its world-class entertainment and leisure facilities include South Bank Parklands, Little Stanley Street, Grey Street and South Bank Cultural Precinct. South Bank Parklands covering 17 hectares of riverfront land, the free swimming facilities, walking tracks, licensed picnic areas and more. It is also home to a year-round calendar of events and plenty of eateries, including the award-winning River Quay. Little Stanley Street known as one of Brisbane’s most popular eat-streets, is bursting with more than 30 cafes, bars and restaurants offering an array of cuisines styles including Vietnamese, Italian and more. Like its sister street Little Stanley, Grey Street is a foodie haven - a stroll along the street will offer you plenty of places to eat. Grey Street is also home to the South Bank Cineplex, which is renowned for its cheap prices. The South Bank Cultural Precinct has something to suit all ages. It includes the Queensland Performance Arts Centre; Queensland Museum and Sciencentre; Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art; and State Library of Queensland. https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/brisbane/things-to-do/shopping/south-bank-parklands?sc_lang=en-au

Nestled on the beautiful banks of Brisbane River (beside New Farm Park) the former power station has become a distinct landmark, both as a stunning industrial creation and as a hub for everything creative. The Brisbane City Council New Farm Powerhouse was designed by Brisbane City Council Tramway architect, Roy Rusden Ogg. At its peak in the post-war years it supplied electricity for the largest tram network in the southern hemisphere. As trams were replaced by buses, it was decommissioned in 1971. The redeveloped Brisbane Powerhouse was designed by Brisbane City Council architect Peter Roy and was opened on 10 May, 2000 by Lord Mayor Jim Soorley. Seven years later the building underwent a further stage of development, re-opening on 6 June 2007 by Lord Mayor Campbell Newman with increased audience capacities, restaurant and bar facilities as well as functions and conference spaces. Brisbane Powerhouse boasts a flexible 400 - 700 seat 'end on' stage theatre, an intimate 200 seat apron stage theatre, an 800 viewer open platform, two restaurants, conference and rehearsal rooms and offices. https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/brisbane/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/heritage-and-architecture/brisbane-powerhouse?sc_lang=en-au

Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is located across two riverside buildings in South Bank’s Cultural Precinct. QAGOMA presents an evolving program of Australian and international exhibitions, with a focus on the contemporary art of Australia, Asia and the Pacific. Immerse the family in creativity at the Children’s Art Centre and see the best in international film and video at the Australian Cinémathèque. QAGOMA offers cafes, modern dining and shopping to complete your visit. https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/brisbane/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/galleries/queensland-art-gallery-and-gallery-of-modern-art--qagoma?sc_lang=en-au

Roma Street Parkland sits on 16 hectares in the centre of the Brisbane CBD and a veritable oasis in the middle of the city. The parklands are adjacent to the Brisbane Transit Centre and Roma Street Station and are considered to be the world’s largest subtropical garden in a city centre. The parklands are home to grassy picnic spots, subtropical plant displays, colourful flower displays, fern groves, rocky peninsulas, barbeque areas and playgrounds for kids.There's something for people of all ages with a visual feast everywhere you look. One major drawcard is the artworks displayed in The Roma Street Parklands. When the site was first developed, 16 Queensland artists were commissioned to create a collection of 15 pieces of works for the parkland. They each tell a story in a different medium including sculptures, mosaic, paving, bronzes and murals.There’s a self guided walk which you can take to lead you past all the different works. http://www.brisbane-australia.com/roma-street-parklands.html

Looking for the perfect introduction to local Kanak culture? Plan a visit to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa, where art, history, culture, knowledge and natural beauty combine to delight and educate adults and children alike. Housed within beautifully designed buildings and landscaped grounds, the centre sits just minutes from the city, offering a fantastic selection of permanent and temporary exhibitions to discover. A visit to the centre is a must for any Nouméa itinerary. https://www.newcaledonia.travel/au/noumea/tjibaou-cultural-center

Built in the 1970s, the museum of New Caledonia asserts, in the late 1980s, its vocation as a museum of society and its objectives as to the enhancement of the Kanak civilization and the preservation of its heritage. Since then, this museum exhibits one of the most beautiful collections of Kanak art in the world, including monumental, and the most complete from the point of view of the themes it allows to address. In view of the Kanak collections of major European museums, the place occupied by the New Caledonia museum in the international museum world is particularly impressive. https://museenouvellecaledonie.nc/le-musee/presentation-du-musee

Seat of the archdiocese of Nouméa since 1966, Saint Joseph’s Roman Catholic cathedral was built between 1887 and 1897 by a penitentiary workforce and following the construction plans of a former convict named Labulle. Consecrated in 1890, before the end of its construction, the cathedral is laid out as a 56-meter-long Latin cross, with a 36-meter-large transept. 15.5 meters high, the building's south west facade presents two 25-meter-high towers on both sides of the porch. Both towers, the buttresses and the bay frames are made of cut stone, the other walls are made of lime-rendered rubble stone. https://www.newcaledonia.travel/au/noumea/saint-josephs-cathedral

Central Australia's unique natural and geological history is explained at the Museum of Central Australia in Alice Springs. The evolution of the magnificent Central Australian landscape and the fascinating creatures that inhabited it, are described in the exhibitions. See meteorite fragments, fossils and interpretive displays as well as a replica of the ancient Alcoota waterhole. This internationally significant fossil site was home to giant freshwater crocodiles and the largest bird that ever lived. Contemporary Central Australia is explained in a display about the birds, mammals, reptiles and insects you will see as you tour the outback. The Museum of Central Australia also houses the Strehlow Research Centre, an important collection of film, sound, archival records and museum objects relating to Indigenous ceremonial life. The Strehlow Collection was accumulated by the Lutheran Pastor Carl Strehlow and his son Professor TGH Strehlow over two generations of anthropological research with the Aboriginal people of central Australia. http://www.discovercentralaustralia.com/museum-of-central-australia

The Araluen Arts Centre is the focal point of the visual art and performance scene of Central Australia, presenting an annual program of exhibitions, performances, and film. Known as the keeping place of stories, Araluen holds within its spaces some of the most significant works of art in Central Australia and brings to the stage world class performances from around the nation (and at times the world). Literally built around a culturally significant 300 year old corkwood tree that now sits in the centre of the Sculpture Garden, the Araluen Arts Centre is the heart of the Araluen Cultural Precinct, which includes the Galleries and Theatre, the Museum of Central Australia including the Strehlow Research Centre, the Central Australian Aviation Museum, Central Craft, Yaye’s Café, and a host of significant public works of art and Arrernte sacred sites. The Araluen Galleries showcase the Contemporary Aboriginal art movement, particularly of Central Australia and the Western Desert Region as well as significant local contemporary artists. The Araluen Art Collection also includes original artworks by world renowned watercolourist Albert Namatjira. His artistic response to the breathtaking Central Australian landscapes are captured in this rotating collection. https://www.discovercentralaustralia.com/araluen-arts-centre